http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/8470431.htm?1c

Officials stress severe weather safety

BY ANGELIQUE SOENARIE

Pioneer Press

High winds, hail and heavy rain that hit Minnesota Sunday could not have
been a more timely introduction for safety and weather officials.

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, American Red Cross
and National Weather Service noted the beginning of Severe Weather
Awareness Week and reminded people to be prepared and practice emergency
plans for unpredictable weather disasters.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there is another episode with more tornadoes
or stronger damaging winds,'' said Todd Krause, a meteorologist for the
National Weather Service, adding that people can expect to see seasonal
storms in May, June and July.

The first warning of Sunday's storm came from a weather station in St.
Cloud around 3:30 p.m. The storm moved quickly to the east, pounding
some areas with 1-inch balls of hail. Krause said as many as 60 warnings
were sent out to 80 counties.

Winds ranging from 60 to 75 mph and heavy rain knocked out power to
21,000 Xcel Energy customers and damaged several power poles, said Ed
Legg, a spokesman for the power company. By Monday night, most of the
power was back on.

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